US6377397B1 - Illumination device for a surgical microscope - Google Patents

Illumination device for a surgical microscope Download PDF

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Publication number
US6377397B1
US6377397B1 US09/656,902 US65690200A US6377397B1 US 6377397 B1 US6377397 B1 US 6377397B1 US 65690200 A US65690200 A US 65690200A US 6377397 B1 US6377397 B1 US 6377397B1
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Prior art keywords
light
stop
optical system
illumination
illumination device
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US09/656,902
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English (en)
Inventor
Juergen Pensel
Ulrich Sander
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Leica Instruments Singapore Pte Ltd
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Leica Microsystems AG
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Assigned to LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG reassignment LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS AG
Assigned to LEICA INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD. reassignment LEICA INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG
Assigned to LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG reassignment LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG CORRECTIVE CHANE OF NAME DOCUMENT TO RE-RECORD DOCUMENT DATE (EXECUTION DATE) OF CHANGE OF NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL 023731, FRAME 0735. Assignors: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS AG
Assigned to LEICA INSTRUMENTS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD. reassignment LEICA INSTRUMENTS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B21/00—Microscopes
    • G02B21/06—Means for illuminating specimens
    • G02B21/08—Condensers
    • G02B21/082—Condensers for incident illumination only
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B3/00—Apparatus for testing the eyes; Instruments for examining the eyes
    • A61B3/10—Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions
    • A61B3/13—Ophthalmic microscopes
    • A61B3/132—Ophthalmic microscopes in binocular arrangement

Definitions

  • the invention concerns devices for illuminating a surgical field of view of a surgical microscope, for example an ophthalmic surgical microscope.
  • an illumination device for a surgical microscope in which the entire light beam from an illumination optical system associated with a lamp is deflected by a first prism out of a perpendicular to the principal axis of the principal objective of the microscope into an oblique inclination at a small angle with respect to the principal axis, and in which a second portion of the total light beam quantity is cast onto the surgical field approximately parallel to the principal axis.
  • This configuration is used in particular for ophthalmic surgery.
  • the illumination is approximately parallel to the surgical microscope axis, whereas around that center it radiates at a small angle toward the surgical field.
  • the illumination component at a small angle is usually blocked out by a slide-in stop, so that the surgeon has available only the parallel illumination component.
  • the actual illuminated surgical field is also narrowed down to the diameter of the illumination with the parallel component.
  • the object of the invention is to achieve an improved blocking-out effect that nevertheless also admits some light for the region at a small angle, so that this region is not completely darkened.
  • JP-A-9-105866 A much more recent known configuration is described in JP-A-9-105866.
  • This configuration results in a fundamentally constant light flux distribution between the 0° light flux portion and the greater light flux component that is always incident at a small angle; an overall reduction in light flux is possible by way of a slide-in stop in the principal beam path of the illumination optical system.
  • a stop of this kind can be a neutral color filter, an aperture stop, a grid stop, or the like.
  • the light-transmitting areas of the stops could also be equipped with optical elements, thus resulting in a scattering of the light that, if necessary, illuminates the surgical field even beyond the illuminated area that has hitherto been standard.
  • markings such as, for example, crosshairs or the like could also be imaged in the illuminated field.
  • the user is thus given not only good perception of the surgical field but also, albeit only faintly, a view of, for example, surgical instruments introduced from the side and/or an additional indication concerning markings.
  • the stop can be arranged in front of either the light entry surfaces or the light exit surfaces of the light distribution and deflection apparatus.
  • the invention is not limited to these stops as recited, however, but rather can be equipped with any known or novel light regulation apparatus without losing its essence, namely the partially darkening configuration of the light beam at a small angle.
  • a particular embodiment and optionally an alternative to that described earlier, which can advantageously be utilized alternatively or also in combination and if necessary moreover results in an improved and even more symmetrical illumination, is characterized in that the stop is configured as a partially transparent mirror surface that deflects some of the beams emerging from the light distribution and deflection apparatus back toward the light source.
  • the stop is configured as a partially transparent mirror surface that deflects some of the beams emerging from the light distribution and deflection apparatus back toward the light source.
  • a light color control system can also be provided, such as color selection filter.
  • FIG. 1 shows a plan view of essential elements of a variant of the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows an expanded side view of another variant, with a schematic illumination optical system and a principal objective
  • FIG. 3 shows an example of a stop disk according to the present invention
  • FIG. 4 shows a variant with mirrors instead of prisms, in which the novel stops according to the present invention can be slid in, alternatively or simultaneously, in front of both entry surfaces of the light distribution and deflection apparatus;
  • FIG. 5 shows a variant that is most similar to the earlier 0° illumination system of the Applicant, but has also been equipped with a new stop.
  • reference numeral 1 identifies a principal objective of a surgical microscope
  • reference numeral 6 identifies a principal axis of objective 1 .
  • a two-part first prism 4 a and 4 b flanks a second prism 5 a .
  • the prisms are, for example, cemented to one another, but are isolated in light-tight fashion from one another. All the prisms each have one light entry surface 7 that faces toward an illumination optical system 2 . Depicted by way of example is a light source 3 a that could certainly also comprise a fiber optic cable ( 3 b in FIGS. 4 and 5 ).
  • the two-part nature of prism 4 is not obligatory but is preferred because it results in good symmetry in the illumination of the specimen. The arrangement could also be asymmetrical.
  • an adjustable stop 8 a is arranged between illumination optical system 2 and light entry surfaces 7 .
  • the appearance of this can be, for example, as depicted in FIG. 3, which shows windows 11 a- 11 d that can be selectably placed in front of light entry surfaces 7 .
  • window 11 d is located in front of light entry surface 7 c of the second prism, so that in this case only the 0° illumination is activated at full light intensity.
  • the two first prism parts 4 a and 4 b receive practically no light flux. If window 11 d were to be rotated somewhat farther, it would thereby be possible to achieve a division of the light flux between light entry surface 7 c and one of the two light entry surfaces 7 a or 7 b.
  • windows 11 b which allow complete darkening of the 0° illumination while at the same time completely illuminating first prism 4 a , 4 b .
  • Windows 11 a allow complete illumination of all the prisms 4 a , 4 b , and 5 a
  • window 11 c makes possible complete illumination of prism 5 a with a simultaneous reduction in the illumination of first prism 4 a, b.
  • Prisms 4 a, b could also be configured in continuously integral fashion, so that the entire entry surface 7 a, b, c is covered by prism 4 .
  • Prism 5 a would then be cemented, as a narrower prism, onto the hypotenuse of prism 4 .
  • prisms 4 a, b and 5 a could also be configured together as one integral prism.
  • a displaceable prism is optionally provided as refractive element 10 which is displaceable with a plane surface on total reflection surface 9 of second prism 5 a .
  • refractive element 10 which is displaceable with a plane surface on total reflection surface 9 of second prism 5 a .
  • it rests, for example, in spring-loaded fashion against surface 9 .
  • refractive element 10 out of second prism 5 a.
  • a liquid film for example an oil film, could be present here on the contact surface by way of assistance. In a variant that is not shown, this could result in light annihilation, for example if the surface of refractive element 10 on the right in the Figure is black, or if that surface is transparent but is directed toward a black inner tube coating.
  • total reflection can also be abolished by way of electro-optical layers (e.g. LCD, crystal, or vacuum-deposited layers) between the two prisms 4 and 5 . If they are electronically excited, these layers can be selectively excited in order thereby to make the desired regions totally reflective or reflection-suppressing.
  • electro-optical layers e.g. LCD, crystal, or vacuum-deposited layers
  • this surface is directed toward a further mirror surface 12 a which in turn directs the deflected light flux, at a small angle or parallel depending on the mirror setting, through principal objective 1 toward the specimen.
  • the further mirror surface could also be adjustable in order to influence the angle of reflection, although this is not depicted in detail.
  • Stop 8 b that can be slid in front of the light exit surfaces covers only a portion of the light flux. It is equipped with orifices 11 e that allow a small amount of light to pass through. Instead of the orifices, diffusion lenses or the like can also be arranged for better light distribution.
  • Stop 8 a can be used instead of stop 8 a or perforated stop 8 b that are depicted.
  • the stop 8 b can be configured as a partially transparent mirror surface that deflects some of the beams emerging from the light distribution and deflection apparatus 10 back toward the light source 3 a.
  • a selective color selection filter is additionally or alternatively provided.
  • FIG. 4 depicts the light distribution and deflection element made up of mirrors 12 b and 12 c . Also indicated is an optical system 13 of the microscope beam path. Stops 8 c and 8 d can be adjusted independently of one another, and are configured like the variants described above. This principle is encompassed by the invention even if only one mirror can be covered by a novel stop 8 d or 8 c according to the present invention. Illumination optical system 2 is depicted symbolically in FIG. 4 with two lenses, preceding which is a stop 14 a . Stops of this kind are provided as standard equipment in many units, and serve to delimit edges and/or to darken the overall illumination light. Selective darkening is not possible with them. A comparable stop 14 b is shown in FIG. 5 .
  • displaceable stop 8 e is configured in accordance with the invention, and thus allows selective but not complete darkening of the illumination at a small angle. Stop 8 e is operable by way of a slider 17 that can be actuated in manual or motorized fashion.
  • a mount 16 for principal objective 1 , a prism 4 c , and a parallelogram prism 5 b are also depicted.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Microscoopes, Condenser (AREA)
  • Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)
US09/656,902 1999-09-09 2000-09-07 Illumination device for a surgical microscope Expired - Lifetime US6377397B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1651/99 1999-09-09
CH165199 1999-09-09

Publications (1)

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US6377397B1 true US6377397B1 (en) 2002-04-23

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US09/656,902 Expired - Lifetime US6377397B1 (en) 1999-09-09 2000-09-07 Illumination device for a surgical microscope

Country Status (3)

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US (1) US6377397B1 (de)
EP (1) EP1083452A1 (de)
JP (1) JP2001125001A (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6483642B1 (en) * 1998-05-13 2002-11-19 Leica Microsystems Ag Lighting device for a surgical microscope
US20080137184A1 (en) * 2006-12-07 2008-06-12 Hopler Mark D Illumination System for Surgical Microscope
US20100053745A1 (en) * 2008-09-04 2010-03-04 Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) Ag Video adapter for a microscope camera
US20100238541A1 (en) * 2002-02-04 2010-09-23 Carl Zeiss Surgical Gmbh Stereo-examination systems with image rotation

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4439815B2 (ja) * 2002-08-22 2010-03-24 株式会社トプコン 手術用顕微鏡
DE10303825A1 (de) * 2003-01-31 2004-08-12 Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) Ag Mikroskop mit einer Beleuchtung

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3843235A (en) * 1968-09-14 1974-10-22 Minolta Camera Kk Image forming optical system wherein defocus images are improved
US4127318A (en) * 1975-09-20 1978-11-28 Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Gmbh Direct illumination apparatus for light and dark field illumination
US4165180A (en) * 1977-06-17 1979-08-21 Canadian Instrumentation And Research Limited Automatic computing color meter
US5099131A (en) * 1990-12-07 1992-03-24 Hughes Aircraft Company Acquisition and testing of latent fingerprints using upconversion
US5126877A (en) 1990-09-08 1992-06-30 Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung Illumination system for a surgical microscope
US5706091A (en) * 1995-04-28 1998-01-06 Nikon Corporation Apparatus for detecting a mark pattern on a substrate

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2030485A1 (de) * 1970-06-20 1972-01-05 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Zusatzeinrichtung zu einem Opakilluminator für photometrische Messungen im Auflichthellfeld
JP3631302B2 (ja) * 1995-10-11 2005-03-23 オリンパス株式会社 実体顕微鏡

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3843235A (en) * 1968-09-14 1974-10-22 Minolta Camera Kk Image forming optical system wherein defocus images are improved
US4127318A (en) * 1975-09-20 1978-11-28 Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Gmbh Direct illumination apparatus for light and dark field illumination
US4165180A (en) * 1977-06-17 1979-08-21 Canadian Instrumentation And Research Limited Automatic computing color meter
US5126877A (en) 1990-09-08 1992-06-30 Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung Illumination system for a surgical microscope
US5099131A (en) * 1990-12-07 1992-03-24 Hughes Aircraft Company Acquisition and testing of latent fingerprints using upconversion
US5706091A (en) * 1995-04-28 1998-01-06 Nikon Corporation Apparatus for detecting a mark pattern on a substrate

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
English Abstract of Japanese application serial No. 9 -105866.
Wild Heerbrugg AG, Product Brochure M1 668d-X.85, Oct. 1985, republished by successor Leica Microsystems Ltd., Business Unit SOM, as Product Brochure Publication No. 10 M1 668 Oen -"Photography and Video Dual Attachment for Leica Surgical Microscopes."
Wild Heerbrugg AG, Product Brochure M1 668d-X.85, Oct. 1985, republished by successor Leica Microsystems Ltd., Business Unit SOM, as Product Brochure Publication No. 10 M1 668 Oen —"Photography and Video Dual Attachment for Leica Surgical Microscopes."

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6483642B1 (en) * 1998-05-13 2002-11-19 Leica Microsystems Ag Lighting device for a surgical microscope
US20100238541A1 (en) * 2002-02-04 2010-09-23 Carl Zeiss Surgical Gmbh Stereo-examination systems with image rotation
US8115993B2 (en) * 2002-02-04 2012-02-14 Carl Zeiss Meditec Ag Stereo-examination systems with image rotation
US20080137184A1 (en) * 2006-12-07 2008-06-12 Hopler Mark D Illumination System for Surgical Microscope
US20100053745A1 (en) * 2008-09-04 2010-03-04 Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) Ag Video adapter for a microscope camera
DE102008041821A1 (de) 2008-09-04 2010-03-11 Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) Ag Videoadapter für eine Mikroskopkamera

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JP2001125001A (ja) 2001-05-11
EP1083452A1 (de) 2001-03-14

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